U.S. patent application number 09/766220 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-25 for cabinets with false fronts and associated false front connectors for engaging multiple sidewallscabinets with false fronts and associated false front connectors for engaging multiple sidewalls.
Invention is credited to Hightower, Robert C..
Application Number | 20020096978 09/766220 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25075767 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020096978 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hightower, Robert C. |
July 25, 2002 |
Cabinets with false fronts and associated false front connectors
for engaging multiple sidewallsCabinets with false fronts and
associated false front connectors for engaging multiple
sidewalls
Abstract
Connectors for attaching a false front panel over an opening in
an object comprise a body portion that is configured to abut and
attach to a rear side of the false front panel, and first and
second snap clips that extend from the body portion and which are
configured to engage opposing walls that define the opening in the
object. These connectors may further include a third snap clip that
extends from the body portion and that is configured to engage a
third of the walls that defines the opening. The body portion of
the connectors may extend the full width of the opening to be
covered to facilitate alignment of the connector on the rear side
of the false front panel.
Inventors: |
Hightower, Robert C.; (High
Point, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
D. Randall Ayers
Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec
Post Office Box 37428
Raleigh
NC
27627
US
|
Family ID: |
25075767 |
Appl. No.: |
09/766220 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/204 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 19/083 20130101;
A47B 97/00 20130101; E06B 5/006 20130101; A47B 47/05 20130101; Y10T
403/75 20150115; Y10T 24/309 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/204 |
International
Class: |
A47B 095/04 |
Claims
That which is claimed:
1. A cabinet, comprising: a frame having a front face, wherein said
front face includes an opening defined by a plurality of walls; a
false front panel having a front side and a rear side; and at least
one false front connector that includes: a body portion configured
to abut and attach to the rear side of said false front panel; a
first snap clip extending from said body portion and configured to
engage a first of the walls defining said opening; and a second
snap clip extending from said body portion and configured to engage
a second of the walls defining said opening, wherein said second
wall is different from said first wall.
2. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein said first wall is opposite said
second wall.
3. The cabinet of claim 2, wherein said false front connector
further comprises a third snap clip extending from said body
portion and configured to engage a third of the walls defining said
opening.
4. The cabinet of claim 3, wherein said first wall is opposite said
second wall, and wherein said third wall is substantially
perpendicular to said first and second walls.
5. The cabinet of claim 2, further comprising a drawer adjacent
said false front.
6. A false front connector for connecting a false front panel over
an opening in an object defined by a plurality of walls,
comprising: a body portion configured to abut and attach to a rear
side of said false front panel; a first snap clip extending from
said body portion and configured to engage a first of the walls
defining said opening; and a second snap clip extending from said
body portion and configured to engage a second of the walls
defining said opening, wherein said second wall is different from
said first wall.
7. The false front connector of claim 6, wherein said first wall is
opposite said second wall.
8. The false front connector of claim 6, further comprising a third
snap clip extending from said body portion and configured to engage
a third of the walls defining said opening.
9. The false front connector of claim 8, wherein said first wall is
opposite said second wall, and wherein said third wall is
substantially perpendicular to said first and second walls.
10. The false front connector of claim 6, further comprising a
spacer extending from and parallel to the body portion.
11. The false front connector of claim 6, wherein said first and
second snap clips each comprise an extending member that extends
from said body portion, and an engaging projection extending from a
distal end of said extending member and configured to engage a rear
surface of one of the walls that define said opening.
12. The false front connector of claim 11, wherein a face of said
engaging projection that is configured to engage the rear surface
of said wall is beveled relative to the rear surface of said
wall.
13. The false front connector of claim 12, wherein said of said
engaging projection engages said rear surface of said wall at an
angle between 20 and 70 degrees.
14. The false front connector of claim 6, wherein said body portion
further comprises first and second slots configured to receive
first and second fasteners which connect said false front clip to
the rear of said false front panel and enable said body portion to
be adjusted relative to said false front panel.
15. The false front connector of claim 12, wherein the beveled face
on the engaging projections on said first and second snap clips
each engage at least a 0.4 millimeter segment of the rear surface
of the respective walls of the object that define the opening.
16. The false front connector of claim 11, wherein the
cross-sectional area of extending members on said first and second
snap clips is greater at the distal end of the extending members
than at the base of the extending members.
17. A false front connector for connecting a false front panel over
an opening in an object defined by at least first, second and third
walls, said second and third walls opposing one another,
comprising: an elongate body portion having a length that is
substantially the same length as said first wall, wherein said body
portion is configured to attach to a rear side of said false front
panel; a first snap clip extending from said body portion that is
configured to engage said second wall; and a second snap clip
extending from said body portion that is configured to engage said
third wall.
18. The false front connector of claim 17, wherein said first snap
clip extends rearwardly from and normal to a first end of said body
portion, and wherein said second snap clip extends rearwardly from
and normal to a second end of said body portion.
19. The false front connector of claim 18, further comprising a
third snap clip extending from said body portion that is configured
to engage said first wall.
20. The false front connector of claim 17, further comprising a
spacer extending from at least one end of the elongate body
portion.
21. The false front connector of claim 17, wherein said first and
second snap clips each comprise an extending member that extends
from said body portion, and an engaging projection extending from
the distal end of said extending member and configured to engage
one of the walls that define said opening.
22. The false front connector of claim 21, wherein a face of said
tab that is configured to engage said wall is a beveled face.
23. The false front connector of claim 17, wherein said body
portion is between 0.4 and 4.0 millimeters in length.
24. The false front connector of claim 21, wherein the end of the
extending members on said first and second snap clips adjacent the
body portion is thinner than the end of the extending members
adjacent the engaging projection.
25. A method of connecting a false front panel over an opening in
an object, the method comprising: attaching a first false front
connector having opposed first and second snap clips adjacent a
first edge of the rear surface of said false front panel; attaching
a second false front connector having opposed first and second snap
clips adjacent a second edge of the rear surface of said false
front panel; attaching the false front panel over the opening by
placing the false front panel over the opening such that the first
and second false front connectors extend through said opening to
engage the rear surface of the walls which define the opening.
26. The method of claim 25, further comprising the act of
simultaneously aligning the position of at least two snap clips
with respect to the rear surface of the false front panel.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the act of aligning comprises
the act of locating one of the first or second false front
connectors on the rear surface of the false front panel such that
first and second ends of the false front connector are equidistant
from the respective top and bottom edges of the rear surface of the
false front panel.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to cabinets or other objects
having false front connectors, and more particularly to false front
cabinets/objects including connectors for connecting the false
front over an opening.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A variety of cabinets, furniture and other objects have
openings which are covered by a false front panel. By way of
example, cabinets in bathrooms often include a false front panel in
front of the bathroom sink that appears to be the front of a
drawer. Such a false front is usually employed to match or
compliment the front panel of an adjacent drawer or drawers. The
false front panel is often used to cover an opening in the face of
the cabinet. Connectors are known in the art for connecting such a
false front panel over the opening in the cabinet or other
object.
[0003] In many applications, false front panels are designed to be
releasably attached to the wall, cabinet, furniture face or other
object to which they are attached. In these applications, the false
front panel may be removed to provide access to items inside of the
wall, cabinet or other object such as a sink. In these
applications, permanent connectors such as adhesives, rivets or
nails, or semi-permanent connectors such as screws, are typically
inappropriate. However, various other types of false front
connectors are available that may be used to releasably attach a
false front panel over an opening in an object.
[0004] One known type of releasable false front connector 10 is
depicted in FIG. 1A. As shown in FIG. 1A, the false front connector
10 comprises a two piece connector that includes a clip 20 and a
post 40. The post 40 is cylindrical in shape, and has a top end 42
and a bottom end 44. The post 40 further includes an aperture 46
along its central axis which extends from the top end 42 to the
bottom end 44. As is also shown in FIG. 1A, along the central axis
47 of aperture 46 a larger countersunk recess 48 is formed in the
top end 42 of post 40. The diameter of the recess 48 is
sufficiently large so as to receive the head of a screw or nail.
The diameter of aperture 46, on the other hand, is smaller than the
head of the screw or nail, but large enough to receive the shank
end of the screw/nail. In this manner, a screw or nail may be
inserted into the top end 42 of post 40 and through the bottom end
44 into an object, to connect the post 40 to the object.
[0005] The second piece of the false front connection device 10,
namely the clip 20, has a thin, flat body portion 22 and a latch 30
that extends from the body portion 22. The body portion 22 further
includes an aperture 24 that is configured to receive a screw (not
shown in FIG. 1A). The diameter of the aperture 24 is smaller than
the head of the screw, but large enough to receive the shank end of
the screw. In this manner, the screw may be inserted through the
aperture 24 into a false front panel to connect the clip 20 to the
false front panel. In the false front connector 10 depicted in FIG.
1A, the aperture 24 is located in the center of the body portion
22, between the two arms 32, 34 of the latch 30.
[0006] The latch 30 comprises a pair of opposed arms 32, 34 and a
base portion 36. The arms 32, 34 are configured to receive the post
40. The arms 32, 34 connect to the top part of base 36, and
together the inside portion of arms 32, 34 and the top portion of
base 36 form a partial cylinder having a diameter slightly larger
than the diameter of the post 40. The distal ends of arms 32, 34
are separated by a gap 38. This gap 38 is smaller than the diameter
of the post 40. Both the clip 20 and the post 40 are typically
formed out of a polymeric material such as HIPS, ABS, PC or
nylon.
[0007] As shown in FIG. 1B, a plurality of clips 20 are connected
to the rear side 54 of a false front panel 50. In a complimentary
manner, a plurality of the posts 40 are connected to the side
surfaces 62', 63' of the walls 62, 63 that define part of an
opening 66 in an object 60. The false front panel 50 is used to
cover this opening 66 in the object 60. As shown in FIG. 1B,
typically, four separate false front connectors 10 are used to
connect the false front panel 50 over the opening 66 in the object
60. As shown in FIG. 1B, the false front connectors may be arranged
so that the posts 40 are attached at the top and bottom of the side
surfaces 62', 63' of the walls 62, 63 that define the side of the
opening 66 with the clips 20 similarly arranged adjacent the top
and bottom of each side of the back surface 54 of the false front
panel 50. The false front connectors 10 may be arranged so that a
clip 20 is provided at the center of the top, bottom and side edges
of the rear side 54 of false front panel 50, and so that the posts
40 are inserted at the corresponding locations at the center of
side surfaces 65', 67', 62', 63'of the walls 65, 67, 62, 63 that
define the opening 66. Other arrangements and/or numbers of the
connectors 10 could also be used to attach the false front panel 50
over the opening 66.
[0008] As shown in FIG. 1B, when the false front panel 50 is placed
over the opening 66 in the object 60, the clips 20 are aligned with
the corresponding posts 40 which extend out into the opening 66. A
force may then be applied to the front side 52 of the false front
panel 50, which acts to enlarge the gap 38 between the arms 32, 34
on each clip 20 by forcing the arms 32, 34 to deflect away from
each other. When the arms 32, 34 are sufficiently deflected, the
posts 40 pass through the gap 38 in the corresponding clip 20. The
arms 32, 34 then snap back into their original positions, thereby
locking the posts 40 into their respective latches 30 on the clips
20. In this manner the false front panel 50 is attached over the
opening 66. The false front panel 50 may later be removed by
pulling on the front side 52 of the false front panel 50 with
sufficient force to separate the posts 40 from their respective
latches 30.
[0009] FIG. 2A depicts another known false front connector 70. The
false front connector 70 likewise is a two piece connector that
includes a clip 80 and a post 100. The post 100 is cylindrical in
shape, and includes an aperture 102 along its central axis 104
having a diameter that is smaller than the head of the screw or
nail, but large enough to receive the shank end of the screw/nail.
In this manner, a screw or nail may be inserted through the
aperture 102 into an object to connect the post 100 to the
object.
[0010] The clip 80 has a base 82 and a pair of arms 92, 94 that
extend substantially perpendicular from the base 82. The base 82
includes an aperture 84 that is configured to receive a screw (not
shown in FIG. 2A). The diameter of the aperture 84 is smaller than
the head of the screw, but large enough to receive the shank end of
the screw so that the screw may be inserted through the aperture 84
into a false front panel to connect the clip 80 to the false front
panel. The arms 92, 94 extend from respective sides of the base 82,
and are configured to receive the post 100. The inner sides of arms
92, 94 are curved so that they together form opposing sides of an
incomplete cylinder that has a diameter slightly larger than the
diameter of the post 100. The distal ends of arms 92, 94 are
separated by a gap 98. This gap 98 is smaller than the diameter of
the post 100. The clip 80 is formed of a flexible metal such as
aluminum and the post 100 is formed out of thermoplastic, HIPS,
ABS, nylon, PC, HPPE or PP. As shown in FIG. 2B, false front
connector 70 may be used in a fashion identical to false front
connector 10 to connect a false front panel 50 over an opening 66
in an object 60.
[0011] Yet another known type of false front connector device 110
is depicted in FIG. 3A. As shown in FIG. 3A, the false front
connector 110 is a one piece connector that has a base portion 120
and three fingers 130, 140, 150 which extend at a right angle from
one edge of the base portion 120. The base portion 120 is thin and
flat, and the front side 122 of the base portion 120 (the side
opposite the rear side 124 from which the fingers 130, 140, 150
extend) may be glued or stapled to the rear side of a false front
panel.
[0012] The fingers 130, 140, 150 of the false front connector 110
have respective flat strips 132, 142, 152 which extend at a 90
degree angle from one edge of the rear side 124 of the base portion
120. Each flat strip 132, 142, 152 includes at its distal end an
abutment 134, 144, 154 that extends from the side of the strip 132,
142, 152 opposite the base portion 120. The abutments 134, 144, 154
have a cross section in the shape of a right triangle, and are
somewhat thicker than either the flat strips 132, 142, 152 or the
base portion 120. Each of the abutments 134, 144, 154 extends from
the flat strips 132, 142, 152 such that one short side of its right
triangle cross section attaches to its respective flat strip 132,
142, 152, and the other short side of the right triangle extends at
a right angle from the respective flat strip 132, 142, 152 in a
plane that is parallel to the plane of the base portion 120. As
shown in FIG. 3A, the abutments 134, 144, 154 are sized
differently, such that they extend different distances up the flat
strips 132, 142, 152 towards the base portion 120. The connector
110 is formed out of ABS, PC or nylon.
[0013] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the front side 122 of the base
portion 120 is connected to the rear side 54 of a false front panel
50. A connector 110 may be provided at the center edge of the top,
bottom and sides of the rear side 54 of the false front panel 50 as
illustrated in FIG. 3B, and are located such that the fingers 130,
140, 150 of each connector 110 will fit just within the respective
top, bottom and sides of the opening 66. When the false front panel
50 is placed over the opening 66 in the object 60, the long side of
each of the abutments 134, 144, 154, which are angled with respect
to the walls 62, 63, 65, 67 that define the opening 66, engage the
edges of the respective walls 62, 63, 65, 67. When a force is
applied to the front surfaces 52 of the false front panel 50, this
results in a force being applied by the walls 62, 63, 65, 67 on the
abutments 134, 144, 154 of the particular connector 110 adjacent
each respective wall. The force on the abutments 134, 144, 154
causes the fingers 130, 140, 150 to deflect in a direction away
from the respective wall 62, 63, 65, 67, such that the abutments
134, 144, 154 on each connector 110 pass through the side surfaces
62', 63', 65', 67' of the walls 62, 63, 65, 67 that define the
opening 66. Once the abutments 134, 144, 154 on each connector 110
have cleared the side surfaces 62', 63', 65', 67' of the walls 62,
63, 65, 67, the force on the abutments 134, 144, 154 is released,
and the fingers 130, 140, 150 on each connector spring back into
their normal position. When this occurs, the abutments 134, 144,
154 on each connector 110 are positioned behind and engage the rear
surface 62", 63", 65", 67" of the respective walls 62, 63, 65, 67,
locking the false front panel 50 into place over the opening
66.
[0014] Preferably, a false front connector will be inexpensive,
easy to use, and provide a secure connection. Many prior art
connectors, however, are not particularly easy to use and/or do not
provide a secure connection. Accordingly, there is a need for
improved false front connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Connectors are provided that may be used to attach a false
front panel over an opening in an object. Cabinets employing these
connectors are also provided. The false front connectors according
to embodiments of the present invention may be used with false
front panels that are to be both permanently joined or releasably
attached over the opening in the object. In certain embodiments of
the present invention, the false front connectors comprise a body
portion that is configured to abut and attach to a rear surface of
the false front panel, and first and second snap clips that extend
from the body portion and which are configured to engage opposing
walls that partially define the opening in the object. These
connectors may further include a third snap clip that extends from
the body portion and that is configured to engage a third of the
walls that defines the opening. These connectors may also include a
spacer which extends from and parallel to the body portion.
[0016] In embodiments of the present invention, the snap clips
which comprise part of the false front connectors have an extending
member that extends from the body portion of the connector. An
engaging projection may be provided that extends from the distal
end of the extending member, and this engaging projection may be
configured to engage one of the walls that define the opening in
the object. The surface of the engaging projection which is
configured to engage the wall may be beveled relative to the rear
surface of the wall. This angling of the engaging surface of the
engaging projection with respect to the surface of the wall it is
configured to engage allows a single connector to be used for
openings of varying thickness, and also may improve the
releasability of the false front panel. In embodiments of the
present invention, the engaging projection meets the rear surface
of the wall it engages at an angle between 20 and 70 degrees.
[0017] In other embodiments of the present invention, false front
connectors are provided that comprise an elongate body portion
having a length that is approximately the width of the opening in
the object that is to be covered by the false front panel. These
connectors include first and second snap clips that extend from
opposing ends of the body portion and which are configured to
engage opposing of the walls that partially define the opening.
These connectors may optionally include a third snap clip that
extends from the body portion that is configured to engage a third
of the walls that define the opening.
[0018] Methods of using false front connectors to attach a false
front panel over an opening in an object are also provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a prior art false front
connector.
[0020] FIG. 1B is an exploded view of four of the false front
connectors of FIG. 1A being used to connect a false front panel
over an opening in an object.
[0021] FIG. 2A is an exploded view of another prior art false front
connector.
[0022] FIG. 2B is an exploded view of four of the false front
connectors of FIG. 2A being used to connect a false front panel
over an opening in an object.
[0023] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of another prior art false
front connector.
[0024] FIG. 3B is an exploded view of four of the false front
connectors of FIG. 3A being used to connect a false front panel
over an opening in an object.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a front plan view of a false front connector
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the false front
connector depicted in FIG. 4.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pair of the false front
connectors of FIG. 4 being used to connect a false front panel over
an opening in an object.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pair of false front
connectors of FIG. 4 being used to connect a false front panel over
an opening in an object after the false front panel has been placed
over the opening.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of one of the false
front connectors of FIG. 7 taken along the line 8-8 in FIG. 7.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of one of the false
front connectors of FIG. 7 taken along the line 9-9 in FIG. 7.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of an alternative false
front connector of the present invention that includes a
spacer.
[0032] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the connector
of FIG. 10 which depicts the connector in use holding a false front
panel over an opening.
[0033] FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 8
except that the side wall of the opening is thicker in FIG. 12.
[0034] FIG. 13 is a flow chart depicting methods of using the false
front connectors according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] The present invention now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention
may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout. The dimensions of some components may be
exaggerated for clarity.
[0036] The discussion herein relates to false front connectors that
may be used to attach a false front panel over an opening in an
object such as a cabinet. FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of a
connector 200 made according to the teachings of the present
invention. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the connector 200 comprises a
body portion 210 and a plurality of snap clips 230, 240, 250 which
extend from the body portion 210. In the embodiment depicted in
FIG. 4, the body portion 210 is relatively thin and flat, and has a
front surface 212 and a rear surface 214. The body portion 210
typically is elongate, having a top end 216, a bottom end 218 and
two sides 220, 222. It will be appreciated, however, that the body
portion 210 may have a wide variety of configurations, and that it
need not be, for example, elongate, rectangular in shape, thin or
flat.
[0037] The body portion 210 also may include one or more apertures
224 that are configured to receive a fastener such as a screw or a
nail (not shown in FIG. 4). In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4
these apertures 224 comprise a slot, but those of skill in the art
will appreciate that a wide variety of aperture shapes may be
employed depending upon the type of fastener used. As discussed in
more detail herein, the use of a slot shaped aperture 224 as
opposed to a circular aperture may facilitate properly aligning the
connector 200 on the rear side 54 of a false front panel 50. The
shank end of a screw or nail may be inserted through such an
aperture 224 from the front surface 212 to the rear surface 214 of
the body portion 210 to fasten connector 200 to the rear face of a
false front panel (not shown in FIG. 4). It will also be
appreciated that any of a wide variety of connection means may be
used to fasten connector 200 to the false front panel, including,
for example, glue or other adhesives and/or staples or rivets that
may or may not require apertures such as the apertures 224 depicted
in FIG. 4. It will also be appreciated that the shape and thickness
of the components of connector 200 may be varied from what is
depicted in FIG. 4.
[0038] The connector 200 also includes a plurality of snap clips
230, 240, 250 that extend from the body portion 210. As used
herein, the term "snap clip" refers to a spring clip that is
designed to deflect when pushed through an opening and then spring
back toward its original position after the distal end of the clip
passes through the opening to engage the rear surface of at least
one of the walls that define the opening.
[0039] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the connector 200
depicted in FIG. 4. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the snap clips 230,
240, 250 used in the embodiment of the present invention depicted
in FIG. 5 each comprise an extending member 232, 242, 252 and an
engaging projection 234, 244, 254. The extending members 232, 242,
252 extend from and are normal to the front surface 212 of body
portion 210. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the extending member 232
projects from the top end 216 of body portion 210, the extending
member 242 projects from the bottom end 218 of body portion 210,
and the extending member 252 projects from the side 220 of body
portion 210. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the engaging projections
234, 244, 254 extend in a plane that is generally parallel to the
plane of the body portion 210 and in a direction away from the body
portion 210. It will be appreciated, however, that the engaging
projections may be constructed in a wide variety of different
shapes and sizes, and that they may likewise project from the
extending members 232, 242, 252 at a variety of different
angles.
[0040] Engaging projection 244 will now be described in detail. As
is apparent from FIGS. 4 and 5, the other two engaging projections
244, 254 are identical to engaging projection 244 in all respects
except for orientation, and hence these engaging projections 244,
254 will not be discussed further. As is best seen in FIG. 9, the
engaging projection 244 has a rear face 246 and an engaging face
248. The engaging face 248 is angled or "beveled" with respect to
the plane of body portion 210. The rear face 246 is likewise angled
with respect to the plane of body portion 210. This angling of the
rear face 246 may facilitate insertion of the false front connector
200 into the opening as discussed below. The extending member 244
and the beveled face 248 are of a width w.sub.1 (see FIG. 5 with
respect to corresponding extending member 254 and beveled face
258). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the width
w.sub.1 of the beveled face 248 is between 0.4 and 4.0 millimeters,
as extending members having an engaging face with this range of
widths may provide a relatively snug fit, yet also provide for good
releasability. However, it will be appreciated that other widths
may be used, as the snugness of the fit and the connectors ability
to release after installation depends on a variety of factors
including, for example, the materials used to form the clips and
the number of snap clips employed.
[0041] The ends of the extending members 232, 242, 252 adjacent the
body portion 210 may be thinner than the ends of the extending
members 232, 242, 252 adjacent the engaging projections 234, 244,
254. In such embodiments, the cross-sectional area of extending
members 232, 242, 252 (i.e., the area of a plane taken through the
extending member that is parallel to the plane defined by the rear
surface 214 of the body portion 210) is greater at the distal ends
of the extending members 232, 242, 252 than at the respective bases
of the extending members 232, 242, 252. Such an arrangement may
facilitate urging the extending members 232, 242, 252 to deflect at
a point about their respective bases when a force is applied to the
respective engaging projections 234, 244, 254.
[0042] FIG. 6 illustrates how a pair of the false front connectors
200 may be used to attach a false front panel 50 over an opening 66
in an object 60. The object 60 may be, for example, a bathroom
cabinet having a false drawer front in front of the washbasin that
covers an access hole to the inside of the cabinet. In FIG. 6, this
access hole or opening 66 is defined by the walls 62, 63, 65, 67
which together form the front panel 61 of the object 60. The walls
62, 63, 65, 67 have a front surface (the exterior surface of panel
61), a side surface 62', 63', 65', 67' that defines the opening 66,
and a rear surface 62", 63", 65", 67".
[0043] The false front panel 50 has a front surface 52 and a rear
surface 54. In the example of FIG. 6, the false front panel 50 is
shaped like a drawer front and has a top edge 51, a bottom edge 53
and two side edges 55, 57. As shown in FIG. 6, a false front
connector 200 is attached adjacent each of the side edges 55, 57 of
the rear surface 54. The rear surface 54 of the false front panel
50 may be placed over the opening 66 such that the connectors 200
pass through the opening 66. Preferably, the connectors 200 are
located on the rear side 54 of false front panel 50 such that the
engaging projections 234, 244, 254 on each connector 200 contact
the front surface of the respective wall 62, 63, 65, 67 to which
they are aligned when the false front panel 50 is placed in front
of the opening 66. As the false front panel 50 is moved closer to
the opening 66, the angled rear faces 236, 246, 256 of the engaging
projections 234, 244, 254 contact the edge of the walls 62, 63, 65,
67 with which they are aligned, and deflect towards the center of
the opening 66. This deflection causes the snap clips 230, 240, 250
on each connector 200 to deflect towards the center of the opening
66, allowing the connectors 200 to be inserted into the opening 66
until the rear surface 54 of the false front panel 50 contacts the
front surface 61 (i.e., the front surface of walls 62, 63, 65, 67)
of object 60. Notably, although in the embodiment of the present
invention depicted in FIG. 6 the rear faces 236, 246, 256 of the
engaging projections 234, 244, 254 are angled with respect to plane
of body portion 210, they need not be angled for the connectors of
the present invention to properly operate. It will likewise be
appreciated that the number or the position of the connectors 200
may be modified from what is shown in FIG. 6. For instance, the
connectors 200 may be disposed laterally adjacent the top edge 51
and the bottom edge 53 of the rear surface 54 of the false front
panel 50 in lieu of or in addition to the connectors 200 shown
adjacent the side edges 55, 57 of the rear surface 54.
[0044] FIG. 7 depicts the false front panel 50 of FIG. 6 after it
has been inserted into the opening 66 in the object 60. As is
apparent from FIG. 7, the length of the extending member 232, 242,
252 on each snap clip 230, 240, 250 is approximately equal to the
width of the side surfaces 62", 63", 65", 67" of the walls 62, 63,
65, 67, such that the engaging projections 234, 244, 254 on each
snap clip 230, 240, 250 on the connectors 200 extend all the way
through the opening 66. As shown in FIG. 7, after the engaging
projections 234, 244, 254 pass through the opening 66, they deflect
back towards their original position such that part of the engaging
projections 234, 244, 254 reside outside the plane of the opening
66 and engage the rear surface 62", 63", 65", 67" (or at least the
edge between the side surface 62', 63', 65', 67'and the rear
surface 62", 63", 65", 67") of the walls 62, 63, 65, 67. In this
manner, the false front panel 50 may be securely fastened over the
opening 66.
[0045] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of snap clip 250 on
the rightmost false front connector 200 of FIG. 7, which is taken
along the line 8-8 in FIG. 7 that depicts the position of the
center snap clip 250 with respect to the opening 66 after the false
front panel 50 is installed over the opening 66. As shown in FIG.
8, the false front panel 50 is inserted into the opening 66 until
its rear surface 54 comes into contact with the front panel 61 (i.
e., the front surface of walls 62, 63, 65, 67) of the object 60. In
this manner the false front connector 200 is fully inserted into
(and partially beyond) the opening 66. The snap clip 250 abuts
against the rear surface 63" of the wall 63. The extending member
252 of the snap clip 250 is approximately the width of the side
surface 63' of the wall 63, and the engaging projection 254 extends
out of the rear side of the opening 66. As shown in FIG. 8, the
beveled engaging face 258 of engaging projection 254 primarily or
solely contacts wall 63 at the interface of the side surface 63'
and the rear surface 63". As a result, the rear surface 63" and the
beveled engaging face 258 form an angle x.sub.1 (see FIG. 8).
[0046] While the false front connectors according to the present
invention do not require a beveled engaging face such as the face
258 in FIG. 8, such an arrangement may be advantageous for at least
two reasons. First, depending upon the application, the width of
the side surface 63' of the wall 63 may vary. By providing a
beveled engaging face (e.g., face 258) on the snap clip 250, such
variation may be more readily accommodated. Specifically, as
illustrated in FIG. 12, in a situation where the side surface 63'
of the wall 63 is wider than the length of the extending member
252, the engaging projection 254 engages the edge between the side
surface 63' and rear surface 63" of wall 63 at a mid-point of the
engaging face 258, and the snap clip 250 remains partially
deflected. However, as long as a sufficient portion of engaging
projection 254 extends beyond the plane of side surface 63'
adjacent the rear surface 63" of wall 63, the snap clip 250 will
act to hold the false front panel 50 in place over the opening
66.
[0047] Additionally, the beveled nature of engaging face 258 may
also facilitate removal of the false front face if and when such
removal is necessary or desirable. In particular, by angling the
engaging face 258, less force is required to deflect the snap clip
250 toward the opening 66, and it is possible to reduce the chance
that the snap clips will be damaged or broken when the false front
panel 50 is removed from the opening 66. In preferred embodiments
of the present invention, the angle x.sub.1 depicted in FIG. 8 is
between 20 degrees and 70 degrees. However, it will be appreciated
that the optimum angle may depend on a variety of factors,
including, for example, the material from which the clip is formed,
the weight of the false front panel, the number of snap clips
employed and the desired snugness of the fit of the false front
panel 50 over the opening 66.
[0048] In FIG. 8 the dashed representation of the snap clip 250
shows the position of the snap clip as it moves through the opening
66, where it is deflected towards the center of the opening 66. As
the engaging projection 254 clears the side surface 63' of the wall
63, the snap clip 250 deflects back towards its original position
such that it is substantially normal to the plane of body portion
210.
[0049] FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of snap clip 240 on
the rightmost false front connector 200 of FIG. 7 which is taken
along the line 9-9 in FIG. 7 that depicts the position of the snap
clip 240 with respect to the opening 66 after the false front panel
50 is installed over the opening 66. As the snap clip 240 operates
in the same manner as the snap clip 250 described above with
respect to FIG. 8, except that it engages a different wall (wall
67), FIG. 9 will not be described further herein.
[0050] As is best shown in FIG. 7, the body portion 210 of the
connector 200 may be sized so that the length of the connector 200
(i.e., the distance separating snap clip 230 and the snap clip 240)
is approximately the same as the length of side surfaces 62', 63'
of the opening 66. In this manner, the extending members 232, 242
of the snap clips 230, 240 will fit just within the side surfaces
65', 67' of the walls 65, 67 defining the top and bottom of opening
66 when the false front panel 50 is placed over the opening 66.
[0051] The false front connectors of the present invention may be
easier to align than the conventional connectors depicted in FIGS.
1-3 for several reasons. Simplification of the alignment process
can result in substantial labor savings in the installation of
false front panels, and may also facilitate providing false front
panels that are properly installed so as to provide both a snug fit
and so as to be readily releasable, if desired. One manner in which
the false front connectors of the present invention may serve to
simplify the alignment process is by providing a plurality (i.e.,
at least two) snap clips per connector. This allows one alignment
process to serve to align multiple clips, thus typically reducing
the overall number of alignments which need to be performed.
Additionally, the connectors of the present invention can be
implemented as one piece false front connectors in contrast to the
conventional two piece connectors depicted in FIGS. 1-2. The use of
such two piece connectors may complicate the alignment process, as
two separate pieces must be installed on two separate mounting
surfaces so as to mate when the mounting surfaces are placed in
their proper position.
[0052] Additionally, as noted above, in embodiments of the present
invention the body portion 210 of the false front connector 200
extends the full width of the opening. Since in many applications
the false front panel should be mounted over the opening 66 such
that it extends for equal distances above and below the opening,
the longitudinal position of the connector 200 may be determined by
simply placing the connector so that the top end 216 of the
connector 200 is the same distance from the top 51 of the false
front panel 50 as the bottom end 218 of the connector 200 is from
the bottom edge 53 of the false front panel 50.
[0053] Furthermore, as best illustrated in FIG. 6, the connectors
200 may be attached to the rear surface 54 of the false front panel
50 by screws that are placed through slotted apertures 224 in the
body portion 210 of the connector 200. This use of slotted
apertures 224 allows the placement of the connector to be readily
adjusted (by loosening but not removing the screw and moving the
connector along the axis of the slot) if the initial fit of the
false front panel 50 over the opening 66 is sub-optimal. The
slotted apertures 224 may be provided to facilitate adjustment in
either the up-down or side-to-side direction.
[0054] The false front connectors of the present invention may also
advantageously provide for superior attachment as compared to the
conventional false front connectors described above. By way of
example, the snap clips 230, 240, 250 on the false front connector
200 have engaging portions 234, 244, 254 which are substantially
wider than the abutments provided on the conventional connector
depicted in FIG. 3. By allowing the engaging portions 234, 244, 254
on the snap clips 230, 240, 250 to engage a larger portion of the
walls 62, 63, 65, 67 that define the opening 66, a snugger, more
secure fit of the false front panel 50 over the opening 66 may be
achieved.
[0055] FIG. 10 illustrates a connector 300 which is an alternative
embodiment of the present invention. The connector 300 is
substantially the same as the connector 200 described above with
respect to FIGS. 4-9, except that connector 300 includes a spacer
380. This spacer may serve to provide a small separation between
the false front panel 50 and the front surface 61 of the object 60
to which it is attached. Such a separation may be desired,
particularly in instances when the false front panel 50 is designed
to appear like a drawer face, because it may make the false front
panel 50 look more realistic.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 10, the spacer 380 may comprise an
extension of the body portion 310 of the connector 300 so that it
will extend outside of the footprint of the opening 66 when the
false front panel 50 is placed in its proper position over the
opening 66. The spacer 380 may be conveniently provided by
extending either or both of the top end 316 or the bottom end 318
of the body portion 310 beyond the location where the respective
top snap clip 330 and/or bottom snap clip 340 extend from the body
portion 310.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 11, when the connector 300 of FIG. 10 is
used to attach a false front panel 50 over an opening 66, the
spacer 380 is sandwiched between the rear surface 54 of the false
front panel 50 and the front surface 61 of the object 60 to which
the false front panel 50 is being attached. In this manner, the
spacer 380 acts to connect the false front panel 50 to the object
60 so that the false front panel 50 does not physically contact the
object 60. It will be appreciated that spacer 380 may be
implemented in a wide variety of different ways. By way of example,
spacer 380 could be implemented by forming a strip of material on
the rear surface 214 of the connector 200 that extends beyond body
portion 210 in a direction away from the opening 66.
[0058] It will be appreciated that the connector 200 may be
modified in a variety of ways without departing from the scope and
teachings of the present invention. For instance, the connector 200
may be configured to have more or fewer snap clips than the three
snap clips 230, 240, 250 illustrated in FIGS. 4-6. By way of
example, the snap clip 240 may be omitted from the left most
connector 200 in FIG. 6, and the snap clip 230 may be omitted from
the right most connector 200. Similarly, in certain applications
the central snap clip 250 may be removed from each of the
connectors 200 in FIG. 6. In other applications, a second snap clip
may be provided adjacent snap clip 250, and the snap clips 230, 240
may or may not be retained.
[0059] Likewise, although in the embodiment of connector 200
depicted in FIGS. 4-9 the snap clips 230, 240, 250 are
perpendicular to body portion 210, it will be appreciated that the
snap clips 230, 240, 250 can extend from the body portion 210 at
other angles. By way of example, in certain embodiments of the
present invention, it may be advantageous to have some or all of
the snap clips 230, 240, 250 form an obtuse angle with the body
portion 210. Such an arrangement may allow the connector 200 to
assert a spring-like force on the side surfaces 62', 63' of the
opening 66 to provide a more secure fit. It will also be understood
that depending upon the length of the engaging portions 234, 244,
254, the snap clips 230, 240, 250 may meet the body portion 210 at
an angle of less than 90 degrees. Accordingly, it will be
understood that the connector depicted in FIGS. 4-9 is exemplary,
and that features thereof not recited in the claims appended hereto
are not intended to limit the scope of those claims.
[0060] In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the false
front connectors such as connectors 200, 300 are manufactured out
of a thermoplastic material such as polystyrene or ABS. However,
those of skill in the art will appreciate that the connectors 200,
300 may be formed out of a wide variety of different materials,
including any number of metals, synthetic compounds or the like.
Typically, these connectors 200, 300 are injection molded from
polymeric materials. As methods of manufacturing such connectors
via conventional molding techniques are well known to those of
skill in the art, the methods for manufacturing these connectors
will not be discussed further herein.
[0061] As noted above, a variety of fasteners or other attachment
means may be used to fasten the connectors disclosed herein to the
false front panel 50, including, for example, screws, nails,
staples, tacks or rivets. Herein, the connectors of the present
invention are described as abutting and/or attaching to the rear
surface of a false front panel. It will be appreciated that such
language is intended to cover situations where the connector is
directly attached to the false front panel, as well as situations
where it is connected via intervening structures.
[0062] FIG. 13 is a flowchart diagram that describes aspects of
methods of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13, pursuant to
these methods a false front panel may be placed over an object by
attaching a first false front connector that has opposed first and
second snap clips adjacent a first edge on the rear surface of the
false front panel (block 400). A second false front connector
having first and second opposed snap clips may likewise be attached
adjacent a second edge on the rear surface of the false front panel
(block 402). The false front panel may then be attached over an
opening in an object by placing the false front panel over the
opening such that the first and second false front connectors
extend through the opening to engage the rear surface of the walls
which define the opening (block 404).
[0063] In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed
typical preferred embodiments of the invention and, although
specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and
descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the
scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *